>> Protocols For Working With Indigenous People

The following list is a limited summary of available protocol guidelines to assist local reconciliation groups, local government and the general public to help build effective partnerships with Indigenous groups and to ensure Indigenous involvement in their activities. This list includes guides from NSW, other States and for those working in the arts. To check if any of these publications are available in hard copy contact the various organisations listed directly.


RECOMMENDED READING:

Respect, Acknowledge, Listen http://www.ccdnsw.org/ccdnsw/pdf/protocols.pdf.

This publication was produced by Community Cultural Development NSW Ltd, 2003. This guide provides practical protocols to assist everyone with ways of working and communicating with the Indigenous community of Western Sydney, but includes much useful and accessible information which is relevant for many different communities.

Other New South Wales Protocol Guides

Communicating Positively: A Guide to Appropriate Aboriginal Terminology

This guide was developed to assist NSW Health staff to communicate more effectively with their Indigenous clients. It explores the correct terminology to describe Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, as well as terms associated with Aboriginal communities and community organisations. This overview will be helpful in gaining a better understanding of the historical, political and cultural context around this terminology. Click here for a copy of the guide

Welcome to Country and Acknowledgement of Country Guidelines and Protocols for NSW Public Schools and TAFE NSW Institutes , Department of Education and the Aboriginal Education Consultative Group, 2004, http://www.aboriginaleducation.nsw.edu.au/welcomecountry.pdf.

A good, concise introductory guide to protocols, what they mean and why they are important, including Welcome to Country. Suitable for use by teachers, students and members of the community.

Fees for Aboriginal Cultural Performances, Department of Aboriginal Affairs, NSW http://www.daa.nsw.gov.au/policies/policyreeperformance.html.

These guidelines have been developed for Government Agencies when engaging Aboriginal people in cultural performances or when conducting a Welcome to Country or other Aboriginal cultural protocols. Also includes recommendations for appropriate fees to be paid.

Guides from other States

Protocols for Consultation and Negotiation with Aboriginal People and Mina Mir Lo Ailan Mun: Proper Communication with Torres Strait Islander Peoples, Dept. of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Policy and Development, Brisbane, http://www.indigenous.qld.gov.au/resources/cultures.cfm.

This site links to two publications which have been developed for government officers who need to consult with the Aboriginal communities, groups or individuals in Queensland.

Respecting Cultures, Arts Tasmanias Aboriginal Advisory Committee http://www.arts.tas.gov.au/publications/respectingcultures/index.htm.

Set of guidelines for working with the Tasmanian Aboriginal Community and Aboriginal Artists.



Visiting Aboriginal land, Northern Land Council, Northern Territory http://www.nlc.org.au/html/visit_media.html.

Information for researchers and media; covers permission, Land Council role, cultural considerations, copyright, and permit application form.

Protocols and the Arts

Many useful protocol guides have been written specifically for those working in the arts and journalism which also give good insights for those working with Aboriginal communities more broadly.



New Media Cultures guide Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Board of the Australia Council, http://www.ozco.gov.au/arts_resources/publications/new_media_cultures/.

New Media Cultures is one in a series of five Indigenous protocol guides published by the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Arts Board. The guides reflect the complexity of Indigenous Australian culture, and provide information and advice on respecting Indigenous cultural heritage. For information on performances, song, visual arts and writing, please visit the Australia Council website at http://www.ozco.gov.au/artsResources.aspx.

Cultural Protocols for Indigenous Reporting in the Media , Message Stick Online, ABC, NSW, http://abc.net.au/message/proper/.

Message Stick has produced this Indigenous Protocol site hoping to assist journalists, filmmakers, producers and documentary makers to understand the importance of abiding by Indigenous Protocols. This document has been written as a guide to help bridge the gap between the needs of Television and Film makers and the Indigenous people and their customs. (refer p.37 for ethics and codes of conduct)

The Greater Perspective, Protocol and Guidelines for the Production of Film and Television on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities , SBS Television, a publication by Lester Bostock, http://www.sbs.com.au/sbsi/sbs_booklet.pdf.

Valuing Art, Respecting Culture , National Association for the Visual Arts (NAVA), Sydney, http://www.visualarts.net.au/nv/articles/varc.pdf.

A very detailed set of guidelines (106 pages), for working with the Indigenous visual art and craft sector.

Guidelines for Ethical Research in Indigenous Studies , The Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies, http://www.aiatsis.gov.au/corp/docs/EthicsGuideA4.pdf.

These guidelines compiled by AIATSIS and is mandatory reading for those applying for Institute research grants, and useful reading for any scholar intending to conduct research in Indigenous Australia.

Responsibilities and Responses , Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander protocols for libraries, archives and information services, National Library, Canberra http://www.nla.gov.au/niac/libs/byrne.html.

These protocols are intended to guide the institutions in such areas as the content and perspectives of collections, intellectual property issues, accessibility and use, classification of materials, handling of both secret, sacred and offensive materials, governance and management, staffing education and training and the role of agencies in developing awareness of indigenous peoples.

National Protocol for Filmmakers - currently under development. As of November, 2004 the Indigenous Unit of the Australian Film Commission is currently developing a National Protocol for filmmakers working with Indigenous content in both drama and documentary, and this will provide a useful guidance for filmmakers. For information about the development of the protocols visit http://www.afc.gov.au/filminginaustralia/indigproto/fiapage_9.aspx.

This page last updated 20th April 2005

Disclaimer
The NSW Reconciliation Council is not the Copyright holder for the majority of the resources in this section of the website. We have sought permission to reproduce material and/or link to resources on other websites. Please contact the relevant person or organisation for permissions.